Crochet loop gauge

ABSTRACT

The gauge of the invention comprises an elongated generally planular body having a longitudinal slot therein for receiving a notch plate which is slideable within the body. The plate is movable between a raised position for receiving yarn wound thereover and a lower or collapsed position for removal or repositioning of the yarn. The exposed notch plate edge is provided with notch means and at least in some instances the bottom of the notch means is disposed above the gauge body edge when the plate is raised. The notch plate is held in raised position by any suitable means, such as friction.

llnited States Patent 1 Hocevar [4 Aug. 6, 1974 CROCHET LOOP GAUGE 3,710,592 1/1973 SCOW 66/1 A [76] inventor: Lorraine E. Hocevar, l 16 S. Rd.,

Kohler, Wis- 53044 Primary ExaminerW. C. Reynolds Assistant Examiner-Andrew M. Falik Filed? J 1973 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & 211 Appl. No.2 368,694 Sawa" 52 us. (:1. 66/1 A, 28/15 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl D04b 3/00 The gauge of the invention comprises an elongated [58] Field of Search 66/4, 1 A; 223/46; 161/9; generally planular body having a longitudinal slot 28/15 therein for receiving a notch plate which is slideable within the body. The plate is movable between a [56] References Cited raised position for receiving yarn wound thereover UNITED STATES PATENTS and a lower or collapsed position for removal or repo- 297 881 4/1884 Veuer 6 6/1 A sitioning of the yarn. The exposed notch plate edge is 1 691 527 11 1928 sakura i fiijjzf II: 66/] A Pmvded notch means and at least m some 2:074:264 3/1937 Karle 28/15 stances the bottom of the notch means is disposed 2,413,955 1/1947 Cottrell 28 15 above the gauge y edge when the Plate is raised. 2,450,067 9 1948 66 4 The notch plate is held in raised position by any suit- 2,454,493 11/1948 66/1 A able means, such as friction. 2,540,383 2/1951 66/1 A 3,674,187 7/1972 Cotugno 223/46 11 Chums, 10 Drawmg Figures 1 CROCHET LOOP GAUGE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a crochet loop gauge, and more particularly to a gauge for assisting in the creation of uniform loops and designs during the crocheting or other similar process.

Heretofore the creation of crochet loops has been accomplished by winding the yarn around a strip of cardboard sheeting. Numerous disadvantages in this system of loop forming have been observed by the present inventor. For example, uniform rows of loops have been almost impossible to form, removal of the loops from the cardboard has been difficult, with bending and fraying of the cardboard during continued use producing uneven results, especially for beginners.

The present invention overcomes the abovementioned difficulties. The gauge of the invention comprises an elongated generally planular body having a longidutinal slot therein for receiving a notch plate which is slideable within the body. The plate is movable between a raised position for receiving yarn wound thereover and a lower or collapsed position for removal or repositioning of the yarn. The exposed notch plate edge is provided .with notch means and at least in some instances the bottom of the notch means is disposed above the gauge body edge when the plate is raised. The notch plate is held in raised position by any suitable means, such as friction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded front elevation of a gauge device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse section of the gauge body, taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of the notch plate taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation of the gauge device with the notch plate raised and showing the loops being formed;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, and showing the notch plate collapsed;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are front elevations of the notch plate showing several different embodiments of notch means; and

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are front elevations of the notch plate showing several different configurations of notch means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the drawings, the crochet loop gauge device 1 of the invention comprises a gauge body 2 and a notch plate 3' adopted to cooperate in forming desired yarn loops 4. Device 1 is preferably made from a suitable relatively rigid material, such as polyethylene, and is shown as being rectangular.

Gauge body 2 and plate 3 are shown as elongated and generally planular, with body 2 having a longitudinal slot 5 throughout its length for cooperatively receiving plate 3 for sliding positioning therein. In the embodiment shown, plate 3 is longer then body 2 to permit manual grasping and sliding of the plate. Other means for sliding plate 3 may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention contemplates means to hold plate 3 in a desired position within body 2. For this purpose, and in the embodiment shown, the relative dimensions of plate 3 and slot 5 are such as to provide a friction fit.

Furthermore, means are provided to guide plate 3 between a lowered position within body 2 and a raised position wherein the upper plate edge extends outwardly beyond the upper body edge. As shown, a pair of generally' L-shaped slots 6 are disposed in the lower portion of plate 3. Suitable projections or plugs 7 extend across body slot 5 and through plate slots 6. The ends of plate slots 6 form stop means to limit the travel of the plate between raised and lowered positions. The L-shape of slots 6 permits generally diagonal shifting of plate 3 for convenience in operation. (Compare FIGS. 4 & 5) However, the spirit of the invention contemplates other shapes and directions of extent of slots 6.

Device 1 is adapted to have yarn loops 4 wound around it in such a manner that the transverse loop spacing and loop length may be precisely controlled. For this purpose, the upper edge of plate 3 is provided with notch means disposed inwardly of the plate end portions, the latter comprising grasping surfaces 8 for manual plate manipulation. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 the notch means comprises a plurality of relatively close evenly spaced notches 9 through which the yarn is wound when plate 3 is in its raised uppermost position, as best shown in FIG. 4. Notches 9 and their bottom portions 10 are shown as being distributed generally parallel to the longitudinal gauge axis, as well as to the opposite or lower edge 11 of gauge body 2. Thus, loops of controlled, and in this instance equal, length are formed. In this instance, the transverse loop spacing is also equal.

Once the required number of loops 4 are formed during the crocheting process, it is sometimes desirable to remove them completely from the gauge. This is accomplished by collapsing plate 3 completely into body 2, as shown in FIG. 5.

The group of freed loops can then be slid off the smooth edges of the gauge. It may sometimes be desirable to form a group of loops which are greater in number than can be accommodated on plate 3. In such case, plate 3 is lowered and the loop group slid off the gauge, with the exception of one loop which is repositioned near the gauge end. When plate 3 is again raised, this end loop will enter an end notch and form the first of a series of more loops to be added thereto.-

It is preferable that loops 4 can he slid off gauge device 1 with a minimum of frictional resistance, which could cause loop distortion. In many instances then, means are provided to cause formation of yarn loops of longer length than the distance between lower body edge 11 and its upper edge 12. For this purpose and as shown, the upper stop means for the guide means of plate 3 is positioned so that the notch bottoms 10 are spaced above body edge 12 when plate 3 is raised.

Various embodiments of notch means may be utilized without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the notch means still extends parallel to the gauge axis. In FIG. 6, a single wide notch 9a is utilized while in FIG. 7 there are a plurality of notches 9b of varying widths. In FIGS. 8-10, the notches are non-linear. In FIG. 8 the notches 9c are arrayed pyramidically; in FIG. 9 the notches 9d are arrayed on a semi-circle; and in FIG. 10 the notches 9e are arrayed in a saw-tooth pattern. In all cases, however, the loop length and spacing is precisely controlled.

The device of the invention has been found to be a significant improvement over prior known devices. The notched plate keeps the loops from sliding off, thereby providing a controlled area for crocheting. More than one strand of yarn may be included in each loop, and designs of variable colors can be formed.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A device for forming loops in crochet yarn and the like, comprising:

a. a generally planular gauge body,

b. said body having a slot extending longitudinally therethrough,

c. a plate slideably disposed in said slot,

d. means to guide said plate between an outer position wherein an edge portion of said plate extends outwardly beyond the adjacent edge of said gauge body and an inward collapsed position within said body,

e. and notch means on said edge portion of said plate for controllably receiving yarn wound around said device in the form of loops when said plate is in its said outer position,

f. collapse of said plate freeing said loops from said notch means so that they may be slid off said gauge body.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom of the notch means is spaced outwardly from the said adjacent edge of said gauge body when said plate is in its said outer position.

3. The device of claim 1:

a. wherein said guide means (d) comprises cooperative slot and projection means in said body and plate,

b. said slot and projection means forming stop means for said plate at its outer and collapsed positions.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said notch means comprises at least one notch extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said device.

5. The device of claim 1 in which said notch means comprises a plurality of notches arrayed non-linearly.

6. The device of claim 5 in which said notch means are arrayed pyramidically.

7. The device of claim 5 in which said notch means are arrayed on a semi circle.

8. The device of claim 5 in which said notch means are arrayed in a saw tooth pattern.

9. In the device of claim 1: means holding said plate in a desired position within said body slot.

10. The device of claim 9 in which said plate holding means comprises a friction fit between the said plate and body.

11. A device for forming loops in crochet yarn and the like, comprising:

a. a generally planular gauge body,

b. said body having a slot extending longitudinally therethrough,

c. a plate slideably disposed in said slot,

d. means holding said plate in a desired position within said body slot,

e. means to guide said plate between an outer position wherein an edge portion of said plate extends outwardly beyond the adjacent edge of said gauge body and an inward collapsed position within said body,

1. said guide means comprising cooperative slot and projection means in said body and plate,

2. said slot and projection means forming stop means for said plate at its outer and collapsed positions,

f. and notch means on said edge portion of said plate for controllably receiving yarn wound around said device in the form of loops when said plate is in its said outer position,

g. collapse of said plate freeing said loops from said notch means so that they may be slid off said gauge body,

h. the bottom of said notch means being spaced outwardly from the said adjacent edge of said body when said plate is in its said outer position. 

1. A device for forming loops in crochet yarn and the like, comprising: a. a generally planular gauge body, b. said body having a slot extending longitudinally therethrough, c. a plate slideably disposed in said slot, d. means to guide said plate between an outer position wherein an edge portion of said plate extends outwardly beyond the adjacent edge of said gauge body and an inward collapsed position within said body, e. and notch means on said edge portion of said plate for controllably receiving yarn wound around said device in the form of loops when said plate is in its said outer position, f. collapse of said plate freeing said loops from said notch means so that they may be slid off said gauge body.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the bottom of the notch means is spaced outwardly from the said adjacent edge of said gauge body when said plate is in its said outer position.
 2. said slot and projection means forming stop means for said plate at its outer and collapsed positions, f. and notch means on said edge portion of said plate for controllably receiving yarn wound around said device in the form of loops when said plate is in its said outer position, g. collapse of said plate freeing said loops from said notch means so that they may be slid off said gauge body, h. the bottom of said notch means being spaced outwardly from the said adjacent edge of said body when said plate is in its said outer position.
 3. The device of claim 1: a. wherein said guide means (d) comprises cooperative slot and projection means in said body and plate, b. said slot and projection means forming stop means for said plate at its outer and collapsed positions.
 4. The device of claim 1 in which said notch means comprises at least one notch extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of said device.
 5. The device of claim 1 in which said notch means comprises a plurality of notches arrayed non-linearly.
 6. The device of claim 5 in which said notch means are arrayed pyramidically.
 7. The device of claim 5 in which said notch means are arrayed on a semi circle.
 8. The device of claim 5 in which said notch means are arrayed in a saw tooth pattern.
 9. In the device of claim 1: means holding said plate in a desired position within said body slot.
 10. The device of claim 9 in which said plate holding means comprises a friction fit between the said plate and body.
 11. A device for forming loops in crochet yarn and the like, comprising: a. a generally planular gauge body, b. said body having a slot extending longitudinally therethrough, c. a plate slideably disposed in said slot, d. means holding said plate in a desired position within said body slot, e. means to guide said plate between an outer position wherein an edge portion of said plate extends outwardly beyond the adjacent edge of said gauge body and an inward collapsed position within said body, 